Obesity is a serious medical condition characterized by excessive weight in one or more body areas. The excess weight can be located in one of several body parts including the waist, hips, thighs, midsection, or face. Obesity is a leading cause of adult obesity-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat both the disease and its symptoms. Understanding how obesity develops as well as its potential treatments will help you make choices that are based on your needs and your health rather than your desire for a "perfect" body.
What is obesity?
Obesity is a common condition characterized by a high body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Generally, people with a BMI above 30 are considered to be "obese." Obesity can affect anyone of any age, but it is most common in people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
What is important to understand about obesity is that it is not a disease in and of itself, but rather a condition that can affect anyone regardless of their age, race, or health conditions.
There are many types of obesity. There is no single cause of obesity, so there are many different types. These include central and peripheral obesity, insulin-resistance, and determine whether someone is prone to type 2 diabetes. In some cases, people have an eating or physical activity disorder that is causing obesity. This can be treated with standard counseling techniques.
Side Effects of Treatment
There are a number of non-surgical treatments for obesity. The goal of non-surgical treatments is to help people lose weight and keep it off. Many people find that diet and exercise are the most effective ways to combat obesity. There are, however, certain medications that may be used as a last resort.
The side effects of any treatment for obesity are important to discuss with your health care professional. Some of the most common side effects are listed below. Nutrition - Some people who are prone to type 2 diabetes may experience an insulin reaction when they consume a certain food. This can cause a rise in blood sugar levels and, in some cases, insulin-resistance.
Likewise, some people who are prone to high blood pressure may experience an increased blood pressure when they consume certain foods. This may result in increased risk of developing high blood pressure and, in some cases, cardiovascular disease.
Exercise - Many people who are obese find it very difficult to get enough exercise, which can lead to muscle loss and a decline in quality of life.
Medication - Some medications may interact with certain diet and exercise programs. For example, some herbal medicines may interact with dietary fiber, which can cause digestive upset and indigestion.
What causes obesity?
There are many reasons why someone might develop obesity. Exposure to poor diet and lack of exercise can result in an increased risk of developing obesity. Certain medications, certain inherited conditions, and certain diseases may also contribute to the development of obesity. Obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes.
The exact reasons why some people gain weight and others lose weight are still unclear. One theory is that people who are genetically predisposed to obesity tend to be hungrier than those who aren't. This is due to the fact that individuals with a specific metabolic disorder are believed to be unable to consume enough calories to maintain their body weight.
Another theory about why some people gain weight and others lose weight is that eating too much makes people feel full faster, which in turn, makes them want to take in more calories in order to satiety (feeling full).
And last but not least, there is the issue of environment. Over the years, many have suggested that the food we eat has an impact on our weight. Recent research however, disputes this notion.
How does Obesity develops?
As we get older, our bodies become less able to retain fat. This means that our bodies become "fat adapted." This term is often used to describe the way an individual's body reacts to increased levels of fat in the environment. When we're underweight, especially during childhood and adolescence, our bodies are able to retain body fat.
But as we get older, this ability becomes less and less effective. As we get older, fat cells start to make more hormone called 'adipokines' which can lead to increased blood pressure and increased levels of cholesterol. The hormones responsible for making us feel hungry and full are called 'appetite regulators.' A low appetite is a sign that the appetite regulators inside our bodies are working properly.
When they are not able to keep up with our growing appetites, we begin to feel hungry. When individuals develop obesity, the level of appetite regulators inside their bodies is increased. As a result, people who become obese don't feel as hungry as they did when they were underweight.
Different types of Obesity
There are 4 main types of obesity: central, diverse, insular and ectopic. The main difference between the 4 types of obesity is that ectopic obesity occurs outside the body whereas the other 3 types of obesity usually develop in the body. Cerebral or central obesity is the most common type of obesity affecting around 75% of people. People with this type of obesity often have a higher than normal body mass index (BMI) and may also have increased cholesterol levels.
Diverse obesity is the second most common type of obesity, affecting 8-17% of people. People with this type of obesity often have a higher than normal BMI and may also have evidence of high blood pressure and poor blood flow to the fingers and toes. Insular obesity, also called extra layer obesity, occurs when a person's bodyfat distribution is abnormal.
A person with diverse obesity may have some fat in the lower body but a high percentage of extra body fat in the upper body. Ectopic obesity occurs when excess body fat is stored outside the body in places like the buttocks, stomach, and thighs. This type of obesity is usually the result of a long-standing medical condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or steroid-induced acne.
Conclusion
Obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes. The exact reasons why some people gain weight and others lose weight are still unclear. One theory is that people who are genetically predisposed to obesity are able to consume more calories than those who aren't.
Another theory about why some people gain weight and others lose weight is that eating too much makes people feel full faster, which in turn, makes them want to take in more calories in order to satiety (feeling full). And last but not least, there is the issue of environment. Over the years, many have suggested that the food we eat has an impact on our weight. Recent research however, disputes this notion.
Obesity is a chronic condition that can be controlled through healthy habits. The good news is that you can break the cycle of obesity and gain healthy body composition in a few short months. The challenge is to do this without having to turn to dieting, exercise, or medications.
There are many ways to combat both the disease and its symptoms. Understanding how obesity develops as well as its potential treatments will help you make choices that are based on your needs and your health rather than your desire for a "perfect" body.
(1).https://www.britannica.com/science/obesity
(2). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
(3). https://www.truthaboutweight.global/ie/en/support/lets-talk-about-weight.html
(4).https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1
(5). https://docvita.com/blog/a-big-fat-crisis-lets-talk-about-obesity-i/amp/
I have read before that the reason why some people remain slim despite what they eat is because of their body metabolism, but obesity is not a good one, it can and should be avoided as much as we can, I believe it is better to seek for prevention rather than waiting until there is a need for treatment, but on the other hand, treatment is also greatly advisable when it is required.